Matt Repchak posted on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Northwestern's had a dream season by many accounts, finishing with their second nine-win season since 2008. Perhaps even more impressive is that the Wildcats led in the fourth quarter of all three losses. A bowl victory would give Northwestern a 10-win season for the first time since appearing in the 1996 Rose Bowl.
Record: 9-3
Record vs. Bowl-Eligible Teams (6-6 or better): 4-3
Key Wins: vs. Vanderbilt (23-13), @ Michigan State (23-20)
Key Losses: vs. Nebraska (29-28), @ Michigan (38-31 OT)
Last Bowl Appearance: 2011 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas vs. Texas A&M
Last Orlando Bowl Appearance: 1997 Florida Citrus Bowl vs.Tennessee
Top Players:
- Venric Mark, RB: 2,048 all-purpose yards (#1 in Big Ten)1,310 yards rushing (#3 in Big Ten), top punt returner in Big Ten (20.14 yards per return, two touchdowns)
- Kain Colter, QB: 1,785 total yards (passing, rushing,receiving); 20 total touchdowns (passing and rushing)
- Tyler Scott, DL: 7 sacks (#4 in Big Ten), 3 forced fumbles(#3 in Big Ten)
- Jeff Budzien, K: 17/18 FG made (#1 in Big Ten), 46/46 PAT made (#1 in Big Ten)
Series Records vs. Possible Opponents:
vs. Alabama: No previous meetings
vs. Georgia: No previous meetings
vs. LSU: No previous meetings
vs. South Carolina: 1-0, last meeting 9/22/1962 -- win 37-20
vs. Texas A&M: 0-1, last meeting 12/31/2011 -- lost 33-22 (Meineke CarCare Bowl of Texas)